When you're a rookie in Formula 1, a fast start can be a double-edged sword. Just ask Kimi Antonelli.

The young Mercedes driver has been turning heads early in the 2026 season, building on a promising rookie campaign that saw several podium finishes but also a fair share of growing pains—especially during the European races. Over the winter break, Antonelli's growth has been nothing short of impressive, and under this year's new regulations, he's come back looking sharper than ever.

After teammate George Russell won the season opener, Antonelli has taken control in the Grand Prix races, building a 20-point lead in the standings. But that success has Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff feeling a mix of pride and caution.

"That's exactly what scares me," Wolff admitted when asked during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport about when he expects Antonelli's first mistakes of the season. "Kimi is young, he's charismatic, a rising star… but after a brilliant start, he might hit a rough patch. And I don't want people saying, 'Oh what happened? Did we get it wrong?' It will all be part of growing up and learning from these setbacks. That's something we're ready for as a team."

Wolff's concerns aren't baseless. At the Miami Grand Prix, he noticed Antonelli looked a bit overconfident during the Sprint race, leading to several errors. Antonelli crossed the line in fourth but dropped to sixth after a five-second penalty for track limits. Wolff later admitted he considered stepping in over the radio as the warnings piled up.

As a result, Mercedes has made some behind-the-scenes adjustments, including reducing Antonelli's interactions with Italian media after his strong start put him firmly in title contention. At just 19 years old, stepping into one of the most high-pressure seats in F1, Antonelli's early success has caught many by surprise—including, perhaps, his own team. But for Wolff, the key is managing expectations and letting the young driver learn from whatever challenges come next.